Ceiling mounted rack

ABSTRACT

A rack comprises at least one wire mesh panel comprising a first array of parallel wires and a second array of parallel wires, the wires of the first and second arrays being in transverse, angular relation and being bonded to each other at at least a substantial number of wire crossing points. The panel defines opposed, parallel side edges which are substantially defined by first individual wires of the first array. Third wires are respectively bonded to the panel and positioned parallel to and adjacent to the first individual wires of the first array. The third wires are spaced from the first individual wires by crossing wires of the second array. Retaining walls are defined by adjacent, upturned end portions of the first array of parallel wires and an end wire interconnecting the end portions, preferably extending from opposite ends of each wire mesh panel. A plurality of such wire mesh panels may be secured together at their opposed parallel edges by clamp members to provide a modular rack system. Hanger wires may be carried by clamp members, each end of the hanger wires defining a transversely (upwardly) extending wire portion terminating in a hanger hook so that the rack may be hung from a site above the rack.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/653,106, filed on Aug. 31, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a rack which is mounted typically from a rafter, which may also hold a solid ceiling, or may be open. The rack is made of a mesh of stiff wires, and may comprise a group of modular units which may be secured together to provide a rack or racks of varying size. The entire rack system may be pre-assembled and lifted for easy installation into preinstalled attachment members. The system is very flexible and forgiving as to the spacing of the pre-installed attachment members. Also, the system will tend to move rather than break if it is bumped, since it is held from vertically mounted hanger wires which may rotate to a certain extent with respect to the rack, permitting the rack to swing rather than break. The rack system is inexpensive, and capable of holding large loads.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a rack which comprises at least one wire mesh panel which, in turn, comprises a first array of parallel wires and a second array of parallel wires, both of the wire arrays being relatively stiff. The wires of the first and second arrays are in transverse, angular relation, being bonded to each other at least a substantial number of wire crossing points, by welding or the like.

[0004] The wire mesh panel defines opposed, parallel side edges which are substantially defined by first individual wires of the first array. Third wires are respectively bonded to the panel, being positioned parallel to and adjacent to the first individual wires of the first array, i.e., those individual wires that define the opposed, parallel side edges. The third wires are spaced from the first individual wires by crossing wires of the second array.

[0005] Thus, the opposed, parallel side edges of the wire mesh panel which comprises the rack are generally defined by a pair of parallel wires comprising a first individual wire and a third wire, separated by the second array of wires, typically the ends of the wires of the second array.

[0006] First retaining walls may preferably extend upwardly from opposite ends of each wire mesh panel so as to prevent items on the rack from falling off. Preferably, each retaining wall is defined by adjacent, upturned end portions of the first array of parallel wires, plus an end wire interconnecting the end portions.

[0007] Also, the rack may include one or more wire mesh end panels having a second retaining wall extending from a side edge between the first retaining walls. The second additional retaining wall is preferably defined by adjacent upturned end portions of the second array of wires, interconnected by an end wire. The end panels thus are preferably three-walled wire mesh panels, and are preferably used as end pieces to the rack at each end, thereby allowing the rack to have retaining walls completely enclosing its periphery.

[0008] Often, a plurality of the wire mesh panels described above may be connected together along their opposed parallel side edges by a plurality of clamp members. These clamp members respectively enclose the first individual wires of the first array and the adjacent third wires, to provide extra strength to the connection. The clamp members may retain a hanger wire, which hanger wire is positioned below the wires of the second array, parallel to the wires of the first array. The hanger wire extends substantially the length of the wire mesh panel, parallel to the opposed, parallel side edges. Each end of the hanger wire preferably defines a transversely extending wire portion terminating in a hanger hook, to permit hanging from a ceiling, typically a rafter which defines the ceiling and may also support a solid, horizontal ceiling if desired. Preferably, several such hanger wires are present, one on each side of the wire mesh panel or preferably an array of connected wire mesh panels.

[0009] It is also preferable for the clamp members to each comprise a first member which is substantially U-shaped in cross section, and a separate, second member which is substantially S-shaped in cross section. The first and second members are bolted together. Each of the S-shaped members defines a trough which receives a hanger wire, described above, in a position below the wires of the second array and parallel to the wires of the first array. Thus, each of the hanger wires may support the wires of the second array from the bottom if desired. Alternatively, heads of the bolts which hold the first and second members of the clamp member together may engage and prevent the hanger wire members from rising out of the trough when the wire mesh rack is supported by the hanger members. Also, the clamp members may surround and secure a pair of the opposed, parallel side edges of adjacent wire mesh panels, thus enclosing a first individual wire and a third wire of each of the panels for strong securance together of the respective wire mesh panels, to form a modular rack comprising two or more of such wire mesh panels connected together.

[0010] Thus the vertically mounted rack of this invention can be hung from brackets on rafters, or other elevated sites, being quite forgiving relative as to precise spacing of the brackets, and being capable of a measure of movement if bumped so that the rack swings rather than breaking in such a circumstance. This provides a new and useful rack for garages, workshops, and other indoor areas for added storage space, while the rack is relatively light and of simple, inexpensive construction, as well as being of variable size.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the drawings,

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rack of this invention, comprising four connected wire mesh panels, with certain portions eliminated for clarity.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the rack of FIG. 1, as indicated in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a simplified, fragmentary vertical section showing pairs of first and second individual wires and third wires of respective parallel side edges of two wire mesh panels, enclosed by the clamp member of this invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 2, taken from the right side as shown in FIG. 2, showing the retaining wall and its associated structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring to the drawings, a modular rack 10 is shown, being made up of several wire mesh panels 12, which are secured together at respective opposed, parallel side edges 14.

[0017] Each wire mesh panel comprises a first array of parallel wires 16 and a second array of parallel wires 18. The respective wires of the first and second arrays 16, 18 are seen to be substantially perpendicular to each other, although, if desired, other angles such as 45° or 60° may be used. The wires of the respective first and second arrays 16, 18 may be bonded to each other by conventional welding at least at a substantial number of wire crossing points.

[0018] The respective wires of arrays 16, 18, have a diameter, for example, of about a quarter inch each, to be stiff and strong.

[0019] In accordance with this invention, third wires 20 are respectively bonded to the panel at crossing second wires 18, the third wires being positioned parallel to and adjacent to the first individual wires 16 a of the first array, being typically positioned at the edge of each panel along with first individual wires 16 a of the first array. This defines the side edges 14 along with third wires 20 in this embodiment. This can be seen in FIG. 3, for example, in which the opposed, parallel side edges of joined panels are defined by a first individual wire 16 a of the panel's first array 16 and a parallel third wire 20, the respective wires 16 a, 20 being separated by the crossing wires of the second wire array 18.

[0020] Retaining walls 50 are preferably located on opposite ends of each wire mesh panel 12. Preferably, the opposed retaining walls 50 are each defined by adjacent, upturned end portions 51 of the first array 16 of parallel wires, plus an end wire 52 interconnecting the upturned end portions 51.

[0021] The end wire mesh panels 12 a may also include an additional retaining wall 53 extending between retaining walls 50. This retaining wall 53 is defined along a panel side edge by the adjacent upturned end portions 54 of the second array of parallel wires and an end wire 55 interconnecting the upturned end portions 54. The three-walled wire mesh panels 12 a preferably form end pieces to the rack, enabling the entire rack to have retaining walls 50, 53 completely enclosing its periphery.

[0022] The respective wire mesh panels 12 are connected together along the opposed parallel side edges defined by wires 16 a, 20 by several spaced clamp members 22, which hold the respective panels together, enclosing respective third wires 20 and first individual wires 16 a of the pair of wire mesh panels together in the clamp 22 in a generally rectangular array, with each of the wires 20 of adjacent panels being separated from wires 16 a by the perpendicular wires of the second array 18. This provides a strong, secure connection between the respective wire mesh panels 12, with the panel edges defined by wires 20, 16 a having substantially increased strength because of the extra wire 20.

[0023] Each of the respective clamp members 22 comprise a first member 24 which is substantially U-shaped in cross section (FIG. 2) and a second member 26, which is substantially S-shaped in cross section, with one end being extended parallel to the central portion of the S-shaped cross section so that the extended end 28 defines a trough 30. First and second members 24, 26 are bolted together with bolts 32 into the configuration as shown in FIG. 2. In this configuration, the respective sides of two wire mesh panels are held together by the clamping of their respective first individual wires 16 a and the third wires 20, the wires being held in a cross-sectional rectangular array, with wires 20 being spaced from wires 16 a by the wires of second array 18.

[0024] Trough 30, defined by S-shaped second member 26, carries a horizontal portion 34 a of a hanger wire 34 in a position below the wires of second array 18. The section of hanger wire 34 which occupies trough 30 is parallel to the wires of first array 16, 16 a.

[0025] Each of hanger wires 34 carries a hook 38 at its outer end, which hook can engage an aperture 40 of a bracket 42, which bracket may be mounted on a rafter or other solid site for mounting above the rack 12. While not shown for clarity, each of hooks 38 may connect to a separate attached bracket 42, which brackets may be mounted by screws 46 in a conventional manner. Because of the inherent flexibility of hanger wires 34, the placement of brackets 40 along a rafter or other attachment site is not very critical, so that the rack 12 of this invention can be easily installed. Also, if rack 12 is struck by the top of a moving vehicle, its tendency is more to swing and bend rather than to break, while retaining the load carried on the rack.

[0026] The horizontal section 34 a of hanger wire 34 may rest underneath the wires of second array 18 in load bearing manner. Alternatively, the heads of bolts 32 and the width of extended portion 28 of second clamp section 26 may retain the horizontal portions 34 a of hanger wires 34 in spaced relation from second wire array 18, if desired, and either way, strong load-bearing characteristics can be achieved.

[0027] The respective side edges 48 of rack 12 will normally also be secured by clamp members 22 with an attached, retained hanger wire 34. But this structure is not shown for clarity of disclosure, so that the structure and relationship of wires 16 a, 18, 20 can be clearly seen.

[0028] Thus, a modular rack 12 is disclosed, which may comprise one or any plural number of connected wire mesh panels 12, having attached hanger wires which may be connected at their outer ends through hooks 38 or the like to an upper attachment point, such as a ceiling, which term is intended to include open rafters or any other upper surface under a roof. The modular rack is inexpensive, very strong, easy to install, and resistant to damage by collision with the top of a moving vehicle or the like.

[0029] The above has been offered for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention of this application, which is as described in the claims below. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A rack comprising at least one wire mesh panel, each panel including a first array and a second array of parallel wires overlaid in transverse, angular relation to each other and bonded together at least some wire-crossing points, at least one of said arrays of parallel wires defining at least a first retaining wall comprising adjacent upturned wire end portions, and third wires respectively bonded to said panel and positioned parallel and adjacent to said individual wires of the first array, said third wires being spaced from said first individual wires by crossing wires of the second array.
 2. The rack of claim 1, wherein said first retaining wall is further defined by an end wire interconnecting said adjacent upturned end portions of said first array.
 3. The rack of claim 2, and further comprising a plurality of hanger wires connected to said panels and extending above the rack for mounting at a site located above the rack.
 4. The rack of claim 3, and further comprising at least one panel with an additional retaining wall defined by said adjacent upturned end portions of said first array of parallel wires, and an end wire interconnecting the end portions, said additional retaining wall being on a panel side opposed to said first retaining wall.
 5. The rack of claim 4, and further comprising at least one panel with a third retaining wall defined by adjacent, upturned end portions of said second array of parallel wires.
 6. The rack of claim 5, wherein the retaining walls of said panels fully enclose the periphery of said rack.
 7. The rack of claim 6, and further comprising a mounting bracket attachable to a site above the rack, said bracket having an aperture therethrough for receiving said hanger wire.
 8. The rack of claim 7, wherein said rack is comprised of a plurality of panels interconnected to each other.
 9. The rack of claim 1, and further comprising at least one panel with an additional retaining wall defined by said adjacent upturned end portions of said first array of parallel wires, and an end wire interconnecting the end portions, said additional retaining wall being on a panel side opposed to said first retaining wall.
 10. The rack of claim 9, and further comprising at least one panel with a third retaining wall defined by adjacent, upturned end portions of said second array of parallel wires.
 11. A modular rack comprising a plurality of wire mesh panels, each panel including a first and second array of parallel wires overlaid in transverse, angular relation to each other, third wires respectively bonded to said panels and positioned parallel and adjacent to said first individual wires of said first array, said third wires being spaced from said first individual wires by crossing wires of said second array, and opposed retaining walls defined by adjacent and interconnected upturned end portions of said first array, a plurality of clamp members interconnecting said panels, and a plurality of hanger wires connected to said panels and extending above the rack for mounting at a site located above the rack.
 12. The modular rack of claim 11, and further comprising at least one end panel end with a third retaining wall defined by adjacent upturned end portions of said second array of wires, and an end wire interconnecting wires of said end portions.
 13. The modular rack of claim 12, wherein the retaining walls of said panels fully enclose the periphery of said rack.
 14. The modular rack of claim 11, and further comprising mounting brackets attachable to a site above the rack, said bracket having an aperture therethrough for receiving said hanger wires.
 15. The modular rack of claim 11, wherein a portion of each hanger wire is positioned below an adjacent wire mesh panel and extends substantially the length of said panel, each end of each hanger wire defining a transversely extending wire portion terminating in a hanger hook.
 16. A rack comprising at least one wire mesh panel, said panel comprising a first array and a second array of parallel wires overlayed in transverse, angular relation to each other and joined together at at least some crossing points of the respective arrays of parallel wires, at least one of said arrays of parallel wires defining at least a first retaining wall comprising upturned wire ends, said rack further comprising a plurality of hanger wires connected to said panel and extending above the rack for mounting at a site located above the rack.
 17. The rack of claim 16 in which said retaining wall is further defined by an end wire interconnecting said adjacent, upturned end portions of said first array.
 18. The rack of claim 17 further comprising: said at least one panel having an additional retaining wall defined by said adjacent upturned end portions of said first array of parallel wires, and an end wire interconnecting said end portions, said additional retaining wall being on a panel side opposed to said first retaining wall.
 19. The rack of claim 18 further comprising said at least one panel with a third retaining wall defined by adjacent upturned end portions of said second array of parallel wires.
 20. The rack of claim 19 in which the retaining walls of said panels fully enclose the periphery of said rack, and said rack comprises a plurality of panels interconnected to each other.
 21. The rack of claim 16 in which said at least one panel carries an opposed pair of first retaining walls.
 22. The rack of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of panels interconnected in a row, with end panels each comprising a third retaining wall defined by adjacent, upturned end portions of said second array of parallel wires and said retaining walls fully enclose the periphery of said rack. 